Lemons Make Diamondshttps://nmadden0206.wordpress.com
Life may give me lemons, but pressure makes Diamonds!Tue, 20 Mar 2018 02:16:30 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngLemons Make Diamondshttps://nmadden0206.wordpress.com
Noble Ocean Steedhttps://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/08/12/noble-ocean-steed/
https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/08/12/noble-ocean-steed/#commentsFri, 12 Aug 2016 17:00:20 +0000http://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/07/28/noble-ocean-steed/Continue reading Noble Ocean Steed]]>In my last post, I mentioned a Seahorse Swap hosted by Kaitie Oskin of Katersacers.com on her Facebook group. Well here is the main event of my swap box that I sent off!

This seahorse was inspired by a picture of a blown glass seahorse. I used Premo! By Sculpey in Wasabi, Ultramarine Blue, Turquoise, and a mixture of translucent clays to get the beginning block. Then I pinched and rolled the different elements to create the seahorse shape. For the eyes, I used Swarovski crystal beads on headpins and smooshed a bent over loop into the clay, so they would be nice and secure after baking.

This is the first time that I have ever used translucent clay, so I was really nervous to get it started. It turned out fantastic though with only one spot of plaqueing. I really want to make another one to hang on the wall in my bathroom!

What is your favorite ocean creature? Let me know in the comments below!

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]]>https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/08/12/noble-ocean-steed/feed/6dsc_0201-1natashamaddenAugust Yume Twins Kawaii Subscription Box Reviewhttps://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/08/03/august-yume-twins-kawaii-subscription-box-review/
https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/08/03/august-yume-twins-kawaii-subscription-box-review/#commentsWed, 03 Aug 2016 20:15:00 +0000http://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/?p=332Continue reading August Yume Twins Kawaii Subscription Box Review]]>I had originally planned to post about my works in progress that are laying around my craft room, but then I received my Yume Twins box! This is by far more interesting that my half done clay pieces and messy desk!

Disclaimer! This product was bought and paid for by me, because I love kawaii! I decided to post about it because I am one of the first to receive this month’s box.

This light purple box is going to be the cause of much excitement in my future! It is adorable and I look forward to seeing if the box design changes each month. (Although I will probably not get another box for a while. ) I will also probably sit down with my 4 year old for coloring sessions!

Inside the box, there is the subscription booklet, like all subscription boxes I have gotten in the past. August 2016 is the 3rd box in this series and the theme is Loveable Animals! The cover has a very cute wrap around design full of fluffy animals. It even has some animals resembling the characters featured in the box! I thought that was a nice touch that it all goes together and matches. I know that’s a given, but it’s still fun to see the things in the box on the booklet.

The first page of the booklet (the book is set up backwards like a manga! Coolest thing ever! I’m sure this setup has a name, but I don’t know it.) talks about current Kawaii trends in Japan. The trend of the month this time is hair colors. The booklet also talks about the Alpacasso plush that was in the box and the contest that goes with it! At the end of the book is a page talking about fun things to do in Harajuku should you ever find yourself in Japan, and a spread of fan pictures posted on social media of the Yume Box! #yumetwins could land your picture in the next booklet.

Yume Twins also have a monthly mega prize box that all subscribers are entered to win each month! The items in that box are shown in the booklet. This momma would LOVE to win! It has a Hello Kitty plush wearing a Kimono, a sailor moon plush, and lots of other awesome goodies.

Now the goodies!

Amuse Alpacasso Plush – Rainbow ~She is super soft!!!!! Smaller than I was expecting, but still awesome! She has a pink ball chain loop attached to her head. (She is headed off to live with my friend who LOVES alpaca and llamas! )

Shinada Fluffy Animal Plush – Pig ~Soft fluffy plush! This one is super cute! The pants on the pig remind me of the little ring that shops put on the to go cups of coffee. He is super cute!

Re-Ment Mare Sweets Mascot – Creme Puff ~ I love blind boxes! It’s tons of fun to open the box and see which one you got. I pulled out the list first. Then the bag with my prize. The big piece was in a separate section than the little biscuit and ball chain. So I opened them up and assembled the pieces. Then there was another package with a little green square that I assumed was candy. Since I don’t read Japanese, I had to use the google translate app to read the box. The box said I got a cream puff instead of a cupcake. It also said the box contains: a figure, Ball research sy (12 (which I’m guessing is supposed to say ball chain. ), and gum (1). So the mysterious square is gum! The little biscuit either says rare or mare…not sure.

Gudetama Limp Mascot ~ The lazy egg yolk, is in a gooy, squishy egg floating on his back with hands behind his head and his legs crossed. The liquid is actually yellow instead of clear like the booklet shows. I’m wondering if maybe it got too hot, because it’s been over 100 degrees here. His egg almost has a tacky texture too. He reminds me of a splat toy that you throw on the floor and it squishes flat. This blog also posted the August box, and her package is black/grey instead of yellow and it looks like the gudetama on the package is posed differently, so I’m guessing there is more than one pose. The box (according to google translate) says “Limp strange feel of mascot” and the picture thing couldn’t read the rest of the package. He’s cool. He will hang out with me in my craft room.

Gudetama/Pompompurin/Hello Kitty Pen – Pompompurin ~ This went immediately into my planner! I love that this box has useful stuff! The design on the pen is iced cookies that have different characters in them. There are 2 big cookies, one has pompompurin and the other has a 3 tier cake on it, decorated with characters. Almost exactly like this.

Airou and Merarou Towel – Airou “Asakusa limited Kaminarimon” ~ the booklet shows this town being cream and brown like Airou from Monster Hunter, but it’s actually yellow and pink. This wash cloth is so cute! It says “Gotouchi Airou” on it and has a little picture of Airou standing on a paper lantern. This is pretty cool. I had to read about this gotochi thing. According to Google translate gotochi means “your land”. It refers to collectible things that are only available in certain areas. Like these post cards. So these wash cloths have a Tokyo tower version and a Kaminarimon in Asakusa version. This idea is super cool to me.

Pompompurin Letter Set ~ I can’t wait to write a note with this cute set! There are 12 papers, 6 envelopes, and 6 stickers to seal the envelopes.

Neko Atsume Memo Pad ~ The designs on this notepad are straight from the mobile game! I love it. This pad has 4 different prints of paper and a clear plastic cover. I tucked this notepad into my planner and have already started using it!

I am very happy with this subscription box! I hope to continue receiving this box, but for now, I have to put my subscription on hold. I hope you consider this box!!! Sign up for their newsletter to receive updates about box content and discount codes!

What is your favorite subscription box? Tell me in the comments below.

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]]>https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/08/03/august-yume-twins-kawaii-subscription-box-review/feed/2ContentsnatashamaddenBOXAlpacassoShinadaUnder the Sea!!!https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/08/01/under-the-sea/
https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/08/01/under-the-sea/#respondMon, 01 Aug 2016 17:00:08 +0000http://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/?p=315Continue reading Under the Sea!!!]]>Under the Sea! Under the Sea! Darlin’ it’s better, down where it’s wetter. Take it from me! Up on the shore they work all day. Out in the sun, they slave away. While we devotin’, full time to floatin’, under the sea!

Today I have mermaid charms to share with you! These were inspired by ACupOfCake’s Kiwaii Friday Video. Ariel is one of my favorite Disney princesses! For these charms I used Sculpey III and glazed them with Triple Thick. Since it was 105F the day I made them, the clay was REALLY soft, which was challenging. Each element that I created came out interesting on the first try and improved on the second. (I made them at the same time, side by side.) I am keeping the one that came out a little funny and sending the second one to my Seahorse Swap partner. (This swap is hosted by Katie Oskin on her Facebook Group Parker’s Polymer Clay Tribe.)
I will be hanging my mermaid on my hot pink Recollections Personal Size Planner. (Which I love by the way!!!)

What is your favorite Disney movie? Let me know in the comments below!

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]]>https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/08/01/under-the-sea/feed/0img_2366natashamaddenOcean Potion!https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/07/29/ocean-potion/
https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/07/29/ocean-potion/#respondFri, 29 Jul 2016 17:12:49 +0000http://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/?p=312Continue reading Ocean Potion!]]>Well it’s been longer than I had hoped since my last post, but I got pretty busy this month. We went on vacation, then getting ready for a new school year and birthdays! Now that things have calmed down I’m ready to show you the few things I made!

For this first update post, I want to share my second button set from June for the Polymer Clay Challenge. These are made from Sculpey III and Premo! By Sculpey. I LOVE the way the turtles turned out! The feel so summery. I was attempting the appliqué technique, but I need more practice to really get a nice appliqué effect.

I didn’t have time to make any buttons this month , but I did get some nice pieces made instead. I probably won’t get buttons made in August either, because I have a couple people asking for custom pieces! Stay tuned for more update posts coming over the next week!!

Where is your favorite beach? Let me know in the comments below! Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is my favorite because it holds special childhood memories for me!

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]]>https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/07/29/ocean-potion/feed/0unknownnatashamaddenSummer Swirlshttps://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/06/05/summer-swirls/
https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/06/05/summer-swirls/#respondMon, 06 Jun 2016 00:50:17 +0000http://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/?p=270Continue reading Summer Swirls]]>The first thing I wanted to do when I got my pasta machine a couple weeks ago was to make a feather cane like these canes by Artmakers Worlds.
Feather Cane and slices by Artmakers Worlds

I went on the hunt and found a great tutorial by Donna Kato. The first problem occurred when making my first ever teardrop blend of yellow to pink. I got really excited about the pasta machine and watching the colors mix and mash together into a smooth blend. I had gone too far. I was supposed to have left it all still marbled. Not a huge issue. I can still see how it turns out. I made my 3 logs out of the blend and wrapped them in gold clay (possibly my favorite color so far) and let them sit.

After at least a week, I finally had some time to try working on the feather again. I pulled out the logs and immediately put the first one into the pasta machine. Now its ruined for the feather cane. Pasta machine done NOT equal faster flat pieces for feather cane. Learn from my mistake and take your time to reduce the logs, so you can build the feather.

Now its time for a new direction since the first log is not right for the feather cane. Maybe it still is, but I don’t know how to use it like that yet, so I am changing directions to something easier. MUCH easier. I Sliced the logs and set them together, then rolled them into a log and made a Natasha cane. I was REALLY excited when I cut it open to see the pattern of yellow, pink, and gold. This is my first natasha cane, and I LOVE how it turned out. I didn’t go on to line them up and put them together I just sliced it open then rolled it even and started cutting stuff out of it. And there are my first buttons for the polymer clay challenge! I think I’m going to set the hearts aside to send to a woman who collects heart items to sell to help her nephew who needs a heart transplant. (Hearts for Zach)

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]]>https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/06/05/summer-swirls/feed/0IMG_1701natashamaddenCaneFeather42Reform, Declare, Create!https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/05/25/reform-declare-create/
https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2016/05/25/reform-declare-create/#commentsWed, 25 May 2016 17:00:42 +0000http://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/?p=265Continue reading Reform, Declare, Create!]]>I haven’t touched my blog in over a year, so why not repurpose it right? There has been a ton of things happen since I stopped blogging about my life. One of those things, ok the only thing really, but it’s huge! I delivered a beautiful baby girl on Easter!

Seeing as how staying home makes me lose my mind, I really needed a hobby. Yeah, I like to crochet, but I don’t absolutely love it. It’s takes me forever to finish a project. Like months! I also wanted to try and make a little money for my family while I was home (so a hat that takes months to finish wouldn’t work). I decided to play with polymer clay! I love it!!!! It’s so versitile. I can basically do anything with it! The sky and my imagination are the only limits. Oh, and the size of my oven.

But alas art is a skill that requires developing. This is where Kater’s Acres and her Polymer Clay Challenge comes in. She has challenged all polymer clay artists to create (and finish!) one PC project each week of the year and blog about it. Realistically with having a 4 year old (almost, she will be 4 in July) and an 8 week old, I just can’t stress over attempting to create one new item each week. I would also run out of clay, since the easiest way to get it is to drive for 3 hours to the nearest craft store. I have decided to challenge myself to making 2 polymer clay buttons a month. Woohoo! (Took me ALL day to pick a theme!)

You can follow my progress here on my (repurposed) clay blog and on my Facebook page Clay Maid (don’t forget to react (like, love, etc.) to things and comment (or post a question!) on my posts so that my updates show up in your news feed!). As my journey continues, names will probably change, so please sign up to receive my blog posts straight to your inbox! I have giveaways planned as well as some other things that I am excited about. I don’t want you to miss anything.

I have my own domain now! The hubby is playing with hosting our own server, and naturally I benefit from his hobby. =) (Thanks for being an IT kind of guy, Love!)

I have some exciting stuff planned for the blog in the near future, so share (lemons.maddnet.us) with your friends!

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]]>https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2015/01/06/new-blog-address/feed/0natashamaddenHappy New Year!!!!!!https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2015/01/01/happy-new-year/
https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2015/01/01/happy-new-year/#respondThu, 01 Jan 2015 06:00:48 +0000http://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2015/01/01/happy-new-year/Continue reading Happy New Year!!!!!!]]>What are your plans for 2015? I am going to focus on getting healthy in body, spirit, and mind! I am going to be following Blogilates January calendar (I have a friend that I’m working with on accountability. Yay!), I’ll be participating in my Church’s bible study on YouVersion’s Bible app, and mind I haven’t found anything. Maybe I’ll try to play with my daughter more and veg out on my phone less. Here’s to 2015! May God bless you and yours, and keep you happy and healthy!

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]]>https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2015/01/01/happy-new-year/feed/0IMG_3738-0natashamaddenHair hair hair!https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2014/12/23/hair-hair-hair/
https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2014/12/23/hair-hair-hair/#respondTue, 23 Dec 2014 20:30:20 +0000http://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/?p=231Continue reading Hair hair hair!]]>My friend in Indiana is a hair stylist with her own business! I asked her to help me with the texture of my hair and showed her what hair products I use.

Apparently my choice of hair products is like dunking my head in a bucket of kitchen cleaner. Oops!! She sent me some new stuff from her salon (for a small price) and hooked me up with a few samples that she had lying around.

I love love LOVE this stuff. It doesn’t smell like Garnier Fructise, but it is amazing! My hair is SO soft after only 1 week, and I imagine it will only get better with time. It is sulfate free, so I am having to get used to shampoo that doesn’t lather up like I’m used to. I won’t be going back to Walmart poo!

The root boost is awesome!!!! I have fine, flat, blond hair and this stuff makes a HUGE difference! Second day hair isn’t plastered flat to my head. It actually has as much volume! My friend says she uses it on basically every client.

I give these items 5 out of 5 stars!!! If your shampoo isn’t making you happy, you should definitely try John.

To order, go the John Amico Products website. When you add something to your cart, you will be prompted to put in a member id. You will need this ID (w01011173) to actually be able to build a shopping cart.

If you have any hair questions you can contact Desiree at desireedeanhair@gmail.com

I did dishes! I know! Everyone can pick their jaw up off the floor now. And I made deviled eggs and threw some fruit together! I wish there was more I could take care of today, but cleaning my house will have to work. Wanna know how I made my eggs? Sure you do! I started by stressing out and getting mad at my husband because I didn’t know what I needed (oops!), so he asked his mom for a recipe. He ended up with just a list of ingredients, but it was enough for me to rock it! And I have pictures!

First you boil the eggs. I don’t have pictures of this part. I put my raw eggs in a pot with some baking soda then fill with water until it’s an inch over my eggs. Then I put them on high heat until it comes to a rolling boil. That’s important! It has to be a rolling boil. Then I turn my heat off, cover with a lid and let them sit on the burner for 5 min. Then I remove them from heat and reset my timer for 10 min. Immediately poor off the hot water and fill with cold water and lots of ice. When the ice melts add more ice. Do this until the water is ice cold and the eggs are very cold to the touch. Drain the water till you are left with just a 1/2 inch or so and put the lid back on. Shake the eggs in the pot gently making them smash together. Some of the shells will fall right off and the other can be practically squeezed from their shells. After this you should be left with beautifully pealed eggs.

Now you’re ready to turn them into delicious deviled eggs! First, cut the eggs in half length wise. (Mine are SO perfect! *eye roll*)

Scoop out the yolks with a spoon into a freezer bag. This is key to easy minimal cleanup eggs!

Now you should be left with pretty little halves! So nice of them to not leave enough space on the plate for a dozen eggs. Just get a small plate and fill the ones that don’t fit with the extra filling. This makes for happy husbands and babies at my house. Mostly because I’m nice and don’t eat the entire batch by myself while they are at work/daycare.

Next I mash up my yolks, so that everything mixes better. My daughter would have throughly enjoyed this part had she been home.

Then I add my ingredients. I don’t actually measure them. I just get out my teaspoon and 1/4 cup and eyeball it. Mostly because I HATE doing dishes, so the fewer dishes there are, the happier I am. =) So about 1/4 cup of miracle whip, and about a teaspoon each of sweet pickle juice, dill pickle juice, and mustard. Also toss in some salt and pepper.

Close up the bag and mix it all up, then taste test with the scooper spoon.

Once its perfect, use a rolling pin to squish all the filling to one of the bottom corners of the bag.

Snip off the end. I was worried that this would be too big of an opening but it turned out perfect! By the way, I have fairly skinny fingers. If i remember correctly, my wedding ring is a size 4.75.

Now twist up the bottom like an icing bag and pipe it into the egg halves. If you have trouble with this, go to your local cake making grocery store and watch their cake decorators work. Not only is it fun (or at least I find that watching them decorate is enjoyable…..that’s probably why I didn’t do well working in the bakery), but you can see how they hold the bag and move with it. Or you could probably find a video on youtube to watch. While you’re at it, you should try making some icing roses!!! I think it’s fun to try to figure out stuff like that!

Tada!!! All done! My husband even suffered through the extra 2 eggs on his lunch break. These got his picky seal of approval!

In case you were wondering, I am wearing the November Exclusives from my StyleBox by Jamberry. They are doing a pretty awesome Black Friday deal and as always they are Buy 3, Get 1 Free! (http://leahhillman.jamberrynails.net) I love these things!!!!

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]]>https://nmadden0206.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/pre-thanksgiving/feed/0IMG_3448natashamaddenCurls!IMG_3434Deviled Eggs For A NOOBIMG_3436IMG_3437IMG_3438IMG_3440IMG_3439IMG_3442IMG_3444IMG_3445IMG_3443IMG_3446IMG_3447IMG_3448